
I remember after the December 26, 2004 Indonesian Tsunami. In the aftermath, there were some Christian leaders calling the disaster God’s judgment upon an Islamic nation, God’s judgment upon those who were committing sins against God and each other. I’m thanking each of them for not saying anything so far about Japan.
But that does make me wonder. What’s up? What’s going on with all these earthquakes? Is it the “supermoon” effect? I doubt it. For one thing, everything’s been happening around the Ring of Fire in the Pacific Ocean.
One thing I do know is that the earth is doing what the earth does. The earth is in flux, it is in turmoil.
Paul writes in Romans
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:22-25
The whole creation is groaning. What imagery of pains of childbirth. Being a guy, I’m so not going to touch that one, but for women who’ve given birth I’ll let you describe what that pain feels like. The earth is doing what it does. It is in pain and looking forward to a time where it is no longer in pain. Like us, it is looking forward to Christ’s return. Until then, creation itself is feeling the effects of Sin.
So, how should we understand the earthquake and subsequent tsunami?
Jesus was asked a question like this. His answer:

These are the signs of the time. I’m not getting all apocalyptic here. This is 2011 not 2012 and the Mayans have nothing to do with this. The earth is broken as I am, as we all are. And as the earth is groaning, so are we. We are groaning for a day where all things will be made new again. Where there will be no more earthquakes, no more tsunami’s no more destruction. But until then, we live out the kingdom of God here and now by helping and serving those in need.
For more information on how to help please check out www.crcna.org/japan
As we serve God in his kingdom, we say at the same time “Come, Lord Jesus, come.”
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